A method for assembling a cooling apparatus having a cabinet which houses an inner casing defining at least one compartment for the storage of products to be cooled and one or more objects configured to be connected to the inner casing. The method includes: providing the inner casing; automatically univocally identifying the model of the inner casing among various known inner casing models by using a detecting device and performing a step of connecting the one or more objects to the inner casing based on the model of inner casing identified in the identifying step.

A method for assembling parts in an assembly line, such as an automotive final assembly line, is disclosed. The method includes advancing a part along the assembly line with an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), arranging a first real time vision system to monitor the position of the AGV in at least two directions, and providing the readings of the first real time vision system to a controller arranged to control an assembly unit of the assembly line to perform an automated operation on the part that is advanced or supported by the AGV. An assembly line is also disclosed.

An automated assembly station includes a mobile platform for holding a first workpiece, a robot having a moveable arm, and a controller. The moveable arm includes a load cell and a gripper that is adapted to grasp a second workpiece. The robot is operable to use the moveable arm and gripper to insert the second workpiece into a locked position on a mating part of the first workpiece. The load cell is operable to measure an amount of insertion force used to insert the second workpiece into the locked position. The controller is configured to record the insertion force and trigger an alarm in response to the insertion force exceeding a predesignated threshold insertion force.

Provided is a method for allocating assemblies to placement lines for placing components on the assemblies, in order to achieve a minimum variation in components with a predefinable maximum capacity utilization in terms of time for each placement line, wherein the component variation is determined as the sum of the number of component types required on the placement lines and an expected production time is determined for each assembly type of the assemblies to be provided with components and for each placement line, taking into consideration each cycle time for the assembly type on the placement line, each reset time, the degree of utilization for each line and the expected number of pieces to be produced for each assembly type.

An automated breadboard wiring assembly includes a breadboard with holes therein defining at least two nodes and at least a primary wiring board. The primary wiring board has a wiring matrix composed of a plurality of interconnected wiring segments, each wiring segment having a switch therealong. A plurality of contacts are interconnected with the wiring matrix with a switch positioned between each contact and the wiring matrix. Each contact is configured to engage a respective one of the breadboard nodes. An input device is configured to indicate desired wires between nodes and the locations of the desired wires define wiring information. A microprocessor configured to receive wiring information from the input device and open selective ones of the switches such that an electrical path along selective ones of the contacts and the wire segments is defined to correspond to each desired wire set forth in the wiring information.

An automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels is provided. A first module receives and secures a composite panel with respect to an origin of a first coordinate system, wherein the composite panel has opposed major surfaces and defines an insert-receiving orifice extending through one of the major surfaces, and is secured such that one of the major surfaces is externally accessible. A second module engages each of a plurality of fastener inserts with an installation aide. Third module determines a configuration of the orifice defined by the composite panel, selects a corresponding one of the fastener inserts engaged with the installation aide, inserts the selected fastener insert into the orifice, and dispenses an adhesive material through the installation aide and into the orifice about selected fastener insert such that the adhesive material secures the selected fastener insert within the orifice. Associated systems are also provided.

The observation update unit (152) increases a weight of a particle for a particle representing a position and a posture closer to a position and a posture of an operation object indicated by an observation result, and increases a weight of a corresponding particle for a particle closer to a state in which an object of interest and the operation object arranged in a position and a posture represented by each of particles are in contact with each other in a virtual space where shapes and a relative positional relationship of the object of interest and the operation object are expressed in a case in which the observation result indicates that the contact has occurred. A state estimation unit (154) calculates an estimated state that is a position and a posture of the operation object estimated based on a set of the particles in which a weight of each of the particles is adjusted. An action planning unit (144) plans an action for moving the operation object from the estimated state to the target state of the current movement, and a command conversion unit (146) commands the robot to execute the planned action. An iteration determination unit (156) repeats setting of the target state, acquisition of the observation result, setting of the set of particles, adjustment of the set of particles, calculation of the estimated state, planning of the action, and execution of the action until the estimated state coincides with a completion state within a predetermined error.

A method for assembling parts in an assembly line, such as an automotive final assembly line, is disclosed. The method includes advancing a part along the assembly line with an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), arranging a first real time vision system to monitor the position of the AGV in at least two directions, and providing the readings of the first real time vision system to a controller arranged to control an assembly unit of the assembly line to perform an automated operation on the part that is advanced or supported by the AGV. An assembly line is also disclosed.

A machine learning device includes a state observation unit for observing state variables that include at least one of the state of an assembly constituted of first and second components, an assembly time and information on a force, the result of a continuity test on the assembly, and at least one of position and posture command values for at least one of the first and second components and direction, speed and force command values for an assembly operation; and a learning unit for learning, in a related manner, at least one of the state of the assembly, the assembly time and the information on the force, the result of the continuity test on the assembly, and at least one of the position and posture command values for at least one of the first and second components and the direction, speed and force command values for the assembly operation.

A system for monitoring a process step during manufacturing of an assembly sheet includes a detection camera configured to capture a first image of the assembly sheet, the first image including a locating feature of the assembly sheet, a vacuum hold-down device for selectively inhibiting advancement of the assembly sheet along a process step line for a predetermined measurement time, and a measurement camera configured to capture a second image of the assembly sheet responsive to the vacuum hold-down device inhibiting advancement of the assembly sheet, the second image including one or more features of a coupon of the assembly sheet.